Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-25

.'Tve cornered the cufprit, whether
he be tramp, burglar, or mischievous
boy"
'sWhere?"
'In my room. Locked in. Come
quick. fetch pair of pincers.
Hurrying footsteps, an excited muir
muir of voices, and then something
seized the key upon the other side
and turned it. Genie sprang forward
to withdraw it but too late.
The bolt was thrown back, the door
swung open, and Genie Merriam, pale,
trembling, almost crying, was con-
fronted by two men, one of whom
was young, tall, and strikingly hand
some, while the other was stout and
as noticeably plain.
"Great Xerxes!' calculated the latter
But the younger man only gazed in
silent admiration, for Genie, in the
pretty wrapper and in an attitude of
exquisite yet unconscious grace, made
lovely picture, despite her misery.
Two female faces peered timidly into
the room over the shoulders of the gen
tlemen, one round and matronly, and
the other fair and girlish.
with my wrapper on!" almost
screamed the younger. q
Poor Genie, weak from the seasons
overwork. and with nerves strained
to their utmost tension, would have
fallen in swoon, had she not been
caught by the younger mans ready
arm. And she heard the latter say, in
voice that seemed to come from a
great distance:
There is some ridiculous mistake
here. This delicate sweet-faced crea-
ture is neither tramp or a vandal. :"
Genie did not lose consciousness en-
tirely, thanks to the kind ministrations
of the matronly woman. But for sew
eral days she was quite i'll, and during
that period she was constantly attended
by Mrs. Hathaway, the round-faced
lady; while Florence, her girlish-faced
sister cooked delicacies for her, the
elder Mr.. Hathaway brought her fruit
from the village, and Eugene Hatha-
way, the tall handsome gentleman,
found the rarest wild-fowers, and
enquired after hex with the gentlest
solicitude, much ottener than the state
of her health really warranted.
.'Of course she wasn't to blame for
not knowing that John and Bessie
had gone away fOr a year, and leased
us the place" said Mrs. Hathaway.
81 must pay you for my board and
the trouble I've pat you to" said Genie
few days later
You shall do no such thing" was
the indignant response Of Mr.. AID Mrs.
Hathaway.
line poor girl did SO long for va
cation in the country, and she needs
It too" exclaimed Florence.
''She shall stay and visit us just the
same as though she had known us all
her life," Mrs. Hathaway declared.
''And romp over the farm and grow
strong and rosy-cheeked," put in her
husband.
''By all means" Eugene quietly said
from the doorway.
And his three words more than all
the rest, induced her to yield.
Il must go back to the city," Genie
said at last, when month had passed
like pleasant dream.
''Why must you go?" Eugene asked.
4 have my living to earn" was the
reply.
Mot as my little wife," he tenderly
suggested.
She paled slightly, and looked up at
him.
''How about Emma?" she asked.
Emma what?"
''You ought to know, since she en-
broidered your name and hers on those
--those-"
Emma is very dear to me- he in
terrupted, smiling. "And she has
marvellous skill with her needle. But
she wishes me to marry whom please.
He drew Genies lace to MS shoulder,
and added:
"You needn't 60 back to the city un-
less you wish"
IL had rather stay here" was the
low reply.